African wolf diet,predation on livestock and conflict in the Guassa mountains of Ethiopia

The African wolf (Canis lupus lupaster) was first identified in 2011 in the Ethiopian highlands, with its status as a new species confirmed in 2015. We studied the diet of a confirmed African wolf population in the Menz‐Guassa Community Conservation Area of central Ethiopia from scat samples collected by den sites from August to November 2010. Rodents were found to be the principal food items occurring in 88.1% of scats (n = 101), followed by plant material (34.7%) and insects (21.8%). Information on reported livestock predation and ensuing conflict with the agro‐pastoral community was obtained through a questionnaire survey. Interview respondents listed the African wolf as the most serious predator of livestock, accounting for 74.6% of the reported kills (n = 492) and 78.9% of the economic loss. Over 70% of reported livestock predation occurred during the dry season (January–April). Better livestock management during this period may significantly reduce conflict. As sympatric Ethiopian wolves primarily feed on rodents, further studies on the foraging ecology, niche overlap and interspecific interactions between the two species should be studied to determine the extent of competition between the two species.     

Hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients at Hawassa university comprehensive specialized hospital,South West Ethiopia

Background

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of the most dangerous heart attack risk factors such as diabetes and prediabetes, abdominal obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Hyperuricemia is a condition in which the serum uric acid concentration is greater than 5.5 mg per deciliter for child and greater than 7.2 and 6.0 mg per deciliters for male and female adults respectively.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the magnitude of hyperuricemia and associated factors among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients at Hawassa Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HCSH) from February 28 to May 30 /2017. A random sampling technique was used to include 319 study subjects and a signed consent had been provided by each study subject before running any data collection. An interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and some clinically useful data. In addition to this, we reviewed the records of the study subjects to obtain other useful clinical data. Five milliliter blood specimen was collected from each study subjects after overnight fasting. A25TM Bio-System Random Access chemistry analyzer was used for blood sample analysis. All data were checked visually, coded and entered into epi-data version 3.4 and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0 software. Bi-variate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to determine the association between explanatory and the outcome variables.

Results

The prevalence of hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome among type 2 diabetic patients in the study area were 33.8%(n?=?106) and 70.1% (n?=?220) respectively. Having age greater or equal to 45 years (AOR: 1.9, CI: 1.-3.2, P value =0.015) and having metabolic syndrome (AOR: 2.6, CI: 1.5–4.7, P value?=?0.001) were the determinant variables for hyperuricemia among type 2 diabetic patients.

Conclusion

There was high prevalence of hyperuricemia among type 2 diabetic patients with high prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Therefore, regular health information about life style modification, early diagnosis and treatment for hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome are essential to reduce hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetic patients.

     

Extending half-life by indirect targeting of the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) using a minimal albumin binding domain

The therapeutic and diagnostic efficiency of engineered small proteins, peptides, and chemical drug candidates is hampered by short in vivo serum half-life. Thus, strategies to tailor their biodistribution and serum persistence are highly needed. An attractive approach is to take advantage of the exceptionally long circulation half-life of serum albumin or IgG, which is attributed to a pH-dependent interaction with the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) rescuing these proteins from intracellular degradation. Here, we present molecular evidence that a minimal albumin binding domain (ABD) derived from streptococcal protein G can be used for efficient half-life extension by indirect targeting of FcRn. We show that ABD, and ABD recombinantly fused to an Affibody molecule, in complex with albumin does not interfere with the strictly pH-dependent FcRn-albumin binding kinetics. The same result was obtained in the presence of IgG. An in vivo study performed in rat confirmed that the clinically relevant human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-targeting Affibody molecule fused to ABD has a similar half-life and biodistribution profile as serum albumin. The proof-of-concept described may be broadly applicable to extend the in vivo half-life of short lived biological or chemical drugs ultimately resulting in enhanced therapeutic or diagnostic efficiency, a more favorable dosing regimen, and improved patient compliance.     

Isolation and molecular characterization of toxigenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus from the Kii Channel, Japan

Studies were conducted on the ecology of potentially pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus in three coastal areas of Kii Channel, Tokushima, Japan. Seawater and seaweed samples were collected seasonally between June 2003 and May 2004. Total and toxigenic strains of V. parahaemolyticus were isolated using most probable number culture and colony blot hybridization. Toxigenic strains were serotyped and further characterized by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and ribotyping. Six thousand strains of V. parahaemolyticus were isolated and 18 were found positive for tdh. V. parahaemolyticus were detected in all samples during summer and autumn, and from some samples during winter and spring. Among the toxigenic strains seven serotypes, five ribotypes and RAPD patterns were observed. Seven strains belonged to O3:K6 clone with identical ribotypes and RAPD patterns to that of a pandemic reference strain. The presence of toxigenic V. parahaemolyticus with pandemic potential might indicate a human health risk due to consumption of marine food sources.     

Griffithsin, a potent HIV entry inhibitor, is an excellent candidate for anti-HIV microbicide

BACKGROUND: The predominant mode of HIV-1 transmission is by heterosexual contact. The cervical/vaginal mucosa is the main port of HIV entry in women. A safe and effective topical microbicide against HIV is urgently needed to prevent sexual transmission. Hence, we evaluated griffithsin (GRFT), a 12.7 kDa carbohydrate-binding protein, both native and recombinant GRFT, potently inhibited both CXCR4-and CCR5-tropic HIV infection and transmission in vitro. METHODS: The antiviral efficacy of native and recombinant GRFT against CXCR4-and CCR5-tropic HIV and SHIV strains and SIVmac251 was evaluated by in vitro assays. We also evaluated the time course of antiviral activity and stability of GRFT in cervical/vaginal lavage as a function of pH 4-8. RESULTS: Griffithsin blocked CXCR4-and CCR5-tropic viruses at less than 1 nm concentrations and exhibited a high potency. GRFT was stable in cervical/vaginal lavage fluid and maintained a similar potency of anti-HIV activity. GRFT is not only a highly potent HIV entry inhibitor, but also prevents cell fusion and cell-to-cell transmission of HIV. CONCLUSIONS: The in vitro efficacy of GRFT revealed low cytotoxicity, high potency, rapid onset of antiviral activity and long-term stability in cervical/vaginal lavage. GRFT is an excellent candidate for anti-HIV microbicide development.     

High-Altitude Rock Shelters and Settlements in an African Alpine Ecosystem: The Bale Mountains National Park,Ethiopia

This first survey of rock shelters and settlements in the Bale Mountains in Ethiopia is a baseline assessment for further research into the settlement history of Africa’s largest alpine highlands. Extensive GPS-based mapping and interviews resulted in two detailed maps, a catalogue of profiles, and complete photographic documentation. In total, 331 rock shelters (four permanently inhabited, 51 seasonally inhabited, and 276 currently uninhabited) and 870 settlements (207 permanently inhabited, 449 seasonally inhabited, 214 uninhabited) were recorded together with information about the activities and livelihoods of the inhabitants of the current settlements. This 2015 study was part of the Ethiopian-European research project “The mountain exile hypothesis – how humans benefited from and re-shaped African high-altitude ecosystems during Quaternary climate changes” (DFG FOR 2358). It was designed to support future management plans in this internationally important conservation area that has recently faced increasing land-use pressure and the threat of degradation.     

Anti-predator behavior of gelada baboons

The anti-predator behavior of gelada baboons has been observed to consist of simple flight (i.e. they flee to cliffs after becoming alarmed by potential predators). However, active antipredator behavior was observed in a recently found gelada population in Arsi, Ethiopia. This population showed frequent active counter-attacks and severe mobbing at predators. Males fought domestic dogs on the plain and exhibited a systematic mobbing behavior towards a leopard on the cliff face to chase it off. These active anti-predator behaviors are the first confirmed reports on gelada baboons and may provide a useful insight for the understanding of the process of evolutionary adaptation to highland habitats by gelada baboons, as well as for the origin of this small southern population.     

Cw * 1701 defines a divergent African HLA-C allelic lineage

 The complete sequence of a new HLA-C allele, Cw ^* 1701, was determined from a South African Zulu individual. Unique features that distinguish Cw ^* 1701 from other HLA-C alleles include multiple point substitutions and an 18 nucleotide insertion in exon 5, which encodes the transmembrane domain. In a phylogenetic analysis of HLA-C sequences, Cw ^* 1701 forms a third, distinct allelic lineage. A comparison of the transmembrane domain of Cw ^* 1701 with other HLA-B and -C alleles reveals that duplications and deletions have been common in the evolution of these loci. A polymerase chain reaction based typing method was used to determine the distribution of this unusual allele in human populations. In contrast to the other two lineages of HLA-C alleles, the Cw ^* 17 lineage is found at high frequencies only in populations of African descent. In addition, the HLA-B/Cw ^* 17 haplotype diversity is higher in Africa. Received: 29 June 1996  / Revised: 20 December 1996     

Factors Associated with Ivermectin Non-Compliance and Its Potential Role in Sustaining Onchocerca volvulus Transmission in the West Region of Cameroon

BackgroundCommunity Directed Treatment with ivermectin is the cornerstone of current efforts to eliminate onchocerciasis. However recent studies suggest there are foci where long-term annual distribution of the drug alone has failed to ensure elimination thresholds are reached. It is important to achieve high levels of compliance in order to obtain elimination targets. An epidemiological and entomological evaluation conducted in the western region of Cameroon in 2011 revealed that two health districts remained with a high prevalence of infection, despite long-term distribution of ivermectin since 1996. This paper explores potential factors that may have contributed to the non-interruption of transmission, focusing on ivermectin treatment compliance and the importance of systematic non-compliance within the population.Conclusions/SignificanceEfforts to reduce the number of systematic non-compliers and non-compliance in certain groups may be important in ensuring the interruption of transmission in the study area. However, in areas with high pre-control force of transmission, as in these districts, annual distribution with ivermectin, even if sustaining high levels of compliance, may still be inadequate to achieve elimination. Further studies are required to better understand the transmission dynamics and focus of on-going transmission in the study districts.